In a groundbreaking moment for the Maldivian cybersecurity community, OXIQA, in partnership with SentinelOne, hosted the first-ever Capture The Flag (CTF) Challenge in the Maldives. SentinelOne, a global leader in autonomous cybersecurity solutions, showcased its cutting-edge technologies that simplify and strengthen threat detection and response. This landmark event was more than a showcase of talent—it was a masterclass in modern threat detection, featuring SentinelOne’s innovative Purple AI.

The event brought together 50 participants from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private sector organizations, creating an environment designed to educate, inspire, and tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. Attendees included professionals from prominent organizations such as MACL, MTCC, MIRA, MIB, STELCO, BML, HDC, MPL, MWSC, NCSA, NCIT, MCS, FENAKA, Senahiya, Sun Siyam Resorts, and many others.

What is the CTF Challenge?

The inaugural CTF Challenge in the Maldives, titled the “ThreatOps Hunt Challenge,” was designed to blend hands-on learning with the thrill of real-world problem-solving. This groundbreaking event provided participants with an engaging platform to enhance their cybersecurity skills through dynamic and interactive challenges.

CTF competitions are well-known for their ability to simulate real-world scenarios, pushing participants to tackle complex security issues in a controlled and competitive environment. The ThreatOps Hunt Challenge stood out as an exceptional opportunity for cybersecurity enthusiasts and professionals alike to test their knowledge, develop innovative solutions, and gain practical experience in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities.

By replicating real-world scenarios, this challenge aimed to foster a deeper understanding of cybersecurity principles while promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Designed for a diverse audience, from aspiring professionals to seasoned experts, the ThreatOps Hunt Challenge underscored the importance of proactive threat detection and response in today’s increasingly digital and interconnected world.

ThreatOps Hunt Challenge 2024

Leveraging SentinelOne’s advanced platform and the capabilities of Purple AI, participants were immersed in a realistic cybersecurity experience where they detected and responded to simulated cyber threats. They navigated the SentinelOne console, analyzed pre-populated cyber threat scenarios, and investigated alerts. Participants engaged in tasks such as threat hunting, incident analysis, and executing EDR queries to uncover solutions using cutting-edge tools.

This hands-on approach provided a unique opportunity to explore SentinelOne’s technologies in a practical, interactive setting. The event was designed to accommodate participants of all skill levels, offering hints, walkthroughs, and expert guidance to ensure an inclusive and engaging experience. Whether seasoned cybersecurity professionals or newcomers to the field, attendees could actively participate and grow their skills.

The focus of the event was less on competition and more on fostering growth and unlocking potential, creating an environment where learning and collaboration took precedence over winning.

SentinelOne and Purple AI

At the heart of the event was Purple AI—SentinelOne’s revolutionary AI-powered security analyst. Simplifying complexity, it allowed participants to hunt threats, analyze incidents, and collaborate seamlessly in real time. With features like natural language queries, rapid detection, and collaborative notebooks, Purple AI proved to be a game-changer for professionals of all experience levels.

What Participants Loved About Purple AI

During the event, IT professionals of varying expertise marveled at how Purple AI made cybersecurity approachable and effective. Here’s what stood out:

• Real-World Simulation: Purple AI provided participants with real incident scenarios and walked them through the process of detecting, analyzing, and responding to threats. This hands-on approach was instrumental in building confidence, especially for those new to cybersecurity.
• Guided Investigations: With intelligent suggestions for next steps and auto-summaries of findings, Purple AI acted as a mentor to participants. Even those unfamiliar with cybersecurity tools felt empowered to tackle challenges head-on.
• All-in-One Visibility: By consolidating data from native and third-party sources into a single console, Purple AI eliminated the need for switching between tools. Participants could see the bigger picture at a glance, ensuring no threat went unnoticed.
• Scalable for All Levels: Whether it was the beginner-friendly walkthroughs or the advanced analytics capabilities, Purple AI proved that it could cater to analysts of every skill level. This inclusivity was a recurring highlight in the feedback.

The impact of Purple AI extends beyond the event. It’s a solution designed for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties. In an era where alert fatigue and burnout are real threats to cybersecurity teams, Purple AI serves as a force multiplier, ensuring that no alert is missed, and no time is wasted.

Participants left the ThreatOps Challenge with a deeper appreciation for how Purple AI enables them to:

• Detects and mitigate threats faster than ever.
• Approach investigations with clarity and precision.
• Build confidence, knowing they have a powerful ally in their cybersecurity toolkit.

CTF Outcomes: Transformative and Triumphant

The ThreatOps Challenge was more than just a competition—it was a testament to how technology can transform the way we approach cybersecurity. The overwhelmingly positive feedback highlighted the challenge’s impact on participants, particularly how it demystified complex processes and empowered them to take charge.

For many, the key takeaway was how Purple AI could cut down investigation times and provide clear answers, even for non-cybersecurity professionals. This accessibility ensures that organizations of all sizes can benefit from advanced threat detection and response capabilities.

And of course, the event culminated in celebrating the top performers:

• 🥇 1st Place: Mohamed Affan Abdul Wahid, Terabyte Pvt. Ltd.
• 🥈 2nd Place: Hussain Rayyan Hassan Rasheed, MACL
• 🥉 3rd Place: Affan Jaufar, MTCC PLC

These winners exemplified what’s possible with the right tools and mindset, setting a high bar for future events.

Looking Ahead

The success of this challenge is just the beginning. With increasing demand for such initiatives, OXIQA and SentinelOne are committed to bringing more events to the Maldives and beyond. Each event is a step forward in building a stronger, more connected cybersecurity community.

The ThreatOps Challenge powered by SentinelOne X OXIQA wasn’t just an event—it was a milestone in empowering professionals with tools like Purple AI to tackle today’s cyber threats. And with the enthusiasm and talent on display, the future of cybersecurity in the Maldives looks brighter than ever. 💜

Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to test your skills in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Together, let’s shape the future.